Herbs For Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Memory, Concentration, and Learning

I've researched the medical literature on the topic of herbs for sleep apnea. I didn't find much.

Sure, there's information about
herbal sleep aids
for other sleep disorders, such as insomnia. But I was looking specifically for
information on the effects herbs would have on sleep apnea.

And I found one herb that was interesting. A recent study shows
that green tea may reduce the following negative symptoms sleep apnea is
associated with:

Memory, concentration, and other brain concerns

Scientists have noted that one of the side effects of sleep apnea is
that it can impair brain function. This is because of a condition called
hypoxia, which means periods of low oxygen levels.

During sleep, for a person with obstructive sleep apnea, oxygen
level in the blood drops because the person stops breathing or has
shallow breathing. Their sleeping is also disturbed throughout the
night.

The consequence? Areas of the brain that deal with memory, concentration, and the ability to learn may not function fully.

There can be a decline in the ability to think clearly. Decision
making becomes difficult. Concentration flies out the window. Poor
judgment is more common, as is anger and stress. Mental sharpness
becomes mental dullness.

Herbs for sleep apnea: green tea to the rescue

A 2008 study conducted by researchers at the University of Louisville
showed that green tea can help offset some of these negative brain
effects.

Here's what happened.

They subjected rodents to periods of low oxygen levels, to
imitate the sleep apnea effects on the brain a person experiences. They
then tested the learning and memory ability of the rodents by running
them through a water maze.

Rodents given green tea in their drinking water performed far better than those who weren't given green tea.

The animals without the green tea also showed greater levels of
aging and free radical damage to their brains. Free radicals are
out-of-control molecules that bombard our cells thousands of times a
day. They are widely considered to be major factors in unhealthy and
rapid aging.

Perhaps that's why drinking tea has been used for thousands of years in Asian cultures to promote healthy aging.

So why is green tea effective as an herb for sleep apnea?

The reason green tea may work as one of the herbs for sleep apnea is because it contains potent compounds called polyphenols.

Scientists have discovered that one of these polyphenols, called
EGCG, is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E for protection
against those nasty free radicals. That's some potent brain cell
protection for the mind!

Several studies have also shown that green tea may:

Reduce the risks of a wide variety of cancers, including prostate, stomach, breast, and colon cancer.

Cautions

Always discuss with your doctor any herbal medicine or teas you take.
This is especially true for women attempting to become pregnant, or are
pregnant, or people taking medications. Also note that green tea does
contain caffeine. Or you can get decaffeinated green tea.

The bottom line

Research certainly seems to indicate that green tea compounds can
help protect nerve and brain cells deprived of oxygen, which is one of
the signs of sleep apnea.

Also, I've been looking into other herbs for sleep apnea treatments.

It seems to me that if other herbs for sleep apnea are to work,
perhaps they might address the sleep apnea effects on breathing. That's
what my article,
More Herbal Sleep Apnea Solutions
is about. I discuss the use of odors for helping with sleep apnea.